Final Fantasy XIV open beta is now live on PS5 - and is well worth a look

Final Fantasy XIV is a bit intimidating. The game has been out for years, and has undergone a full relaunch in 2013, and has grown exponentially though seemingly endless patches and expansions. There is an enormous amount of content in FFXIV, and as a new player, the idea of jumping in and starting at ground zero is daunting.

Indeed, most of the "beginner's guide" articles I've read suggested skipping the base game and paying for boosts that allow the player to jump ahead to the expansion content - and idea that has always bewildered me. When I get a game, I want to, you know, play the game. I thing I would be completely lost if I skipped 100 hours of a game and then tried to play with veterans in more difficult arenas. Part of the fun of the early part of MMORPGs is learning to "drive" your character, picking up how their skills work and fit together, how the world works, etc. Skipping all of that would make me wildly incompetent.

Luckily the folks at Square Enix in charge of Final Fantasy XIV seem to feel me, because they have opened up the base game and the first expansion to play completely for free right now, which adds up to hundreds of hours of gameplay. With the release of FFXIV's new patch (5.5), players can jump in and play a ton of FFXIV with very few barriers and little commitment outside of their time. 

The big news right now for FFXIV's console players is the game's upgrade to PlayStation 5. Existing players on PS4 can upgrade to the PS5 version for free, with new players being able to hop right in and start on PS5 for free. The full PlayStation 5 version will be available for purchase at the end of the open beta period (though no date has been given for that beta ending, so go nuts while you can).

I hopped into FFXIV yesterday on PlayStation 5, having only spent a few hours with the game on PS4 in a previous free-play period. Take a look at the video above; the game looks stunningly good. The game is designed to be pretty welcoming to new players. Though there are a ton of mechanics and controls to pick up out of the gate, I still had a blast running around and completing noob quests and trying to get a feel for the game's inventory and combat systems. My time with the game left me in a weird place, where I'm trying not to let the insidious MMO hooks sink into me, but all I want to do is run away from work and go play more FFXIV. It's rather delicious.

If you are an existing player, I'm going to post the rest of the extensive changes made in Patch 5.5, which you can see by clicking the link below. But if you are a new player, or are just interested in seeing whether FFXIV resonates with you, I would definitely recommend downloading the game and giving it a shot. 

• New Main Scenario Quests – Prospects of peace may soon fall to ruin, as Fandaniel and the Telophoroi scheme to recreate the Final Days, and ominous towers rise in all corners of the realm. With the servants of chaos amassing at every turn, will the Scions uncover their plot before it is too late?
• New Alliance Raid: The Tower at Paradigm's Breach – The white-garbed 2P's discovery was the first domino to fall in a series of conflicts that have only escalated since the arrival of the black-shrouded 2B, the pattern they form growing ever more complex. The time of revelation may be at hand, but is this tale one of hope...or despair?
• “Sorrow of Werlyt” Questline Finale – With adamantine armor and a beating, blood red core, the Diamond Weapon is the culmination of countless sacrifices and untold suffering. When the ultimate triumph of the VIIth Legion's monstrous Weapon project descends upon Werlyt, who will be saved, and who shall fall?
• New Trial: The Cloud Deck – The advent of the Empire's final and most fatal Weapon sees Gaius and the Warrior of Light take to the skies aboard Cid's latest creation. Players can face off against the fearsome Diamond Weapon in this latest trial, which will be available in both Normal and Extreme difficulties.
• New Dungeon: Paglth'an – Players can tackle this new story dungeon alongside fellow adventurers or a party of non-player characters via Trust System compatibility.
• “Save the Queen” Questline Update – This latest update includes a new field area, “Zadnor,” an increased resistance rank cap, final enhancement of resistance weapons and more.
• New Unreal Trial – The next powered-up primal, Leviathan, has returned from A Realm Reborn to terrorize level 80 heroes, providing them with a hefty challenge and chances at unique rewards.
• Crafter Updates – High-level crafters can look forward to new content in Patch 5.5 that will earn them special achievements and unique crafting tools.
• Ishgard Restoration Update – As a new age dawns in Ishgard, luminaries from across Eorzea have been invited to the Firmament to take part in a ceremony commemorating this momentous occasion. Players can obtain rewards by participating in gatherer- and crafter-focused events which will occur during these periodic celebrations.
• “Explorer Mode'' Update – The Explorer Mode feature will be expanded to include level 70 dungeons. Explorer Mode allows players to explore dungeons free from danger to capture striking and fun screenshots while enabling the use of mounts and minions. Players will also now be able to use performance actions while in dungeons, such as playing musical instruments.
• New Game+ Updates – Relive even more past adventures in Patch 5.5 with the addition of Eden, the Sorrow of Werlyt, and other Tales from the Shadows. Main scenario quests from Patch 5.4 to Patch 5.55 and YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse are also coming to New Game+ in Patch 5.55.
• New Custom Deliveries – House Durendaire is considered the foremost of the noble houses of Ishgard, and Count Charlemend stands at its head. Thus, when such a dignitary is seen skulking about the Firmament, it could scarcely go unnoticed. What manner of surreptitious business could have brought the man to the newly rebuilt district?
• Performance Action Updates – A new instrument will be added with Patch 5.55.
• Job Adjustments for PvE and PvP Actions, New Mounts, Minions and more.